Anyone have thoughts on which version is optimal.
I currently have the San Marco Azoto, having problems with the rails and attachment at nose of saddle, thinking of changing brands.
I have both the road and the tri version… The Arione has a firm feel to it and the nose feels slightly thinner than the tri saddle. If you prefer a little softer feel you could just put a QR or DeSoto pad on it. The Arione Tri has a softer feel and kind of dips /sags in the center, that may be good or bad depending on your riding style. It does not allow you to move around quite as much as the standard Arione, which has more of a flat platform. Both are very nice…and are my favorite saddles.
But, what works for me may not work for you.
What angle are you riding?
Not to hijack, but check out the Selle Italia SLR T1 (tri) gel. My Azoto (RIP from broken rails) was a Cadillac bench seat and my SLR feels like a custom Recaro…
FWIW - Looked like Stadler was sporting one during his impressive ride last month.
if you ride on the nose and like a little extra padding, go w/ the Tri.
Wow, feels like a custom recaro. hmmm. Maybe I should check it out but I’ve been relatively pleased with my azoto except for that history of broken rails thingy (hasn’t happned to me yet, knock on wood) Out of curisity, is the Selle Italia in your eyes, that much better.
I have both the road and the tri version… Both are very nice…and are my favorite saddles.
i completely have to agree with King1 on both saddles. i used to ride an SLR saddle and can’t now believe that I ever liked it. I use the black/silver Arione Tri on my Blade and a stunning silver/yellow Arione on my Ghisallo. Everyone else I know who has since switched to either saddle is very happy with it.
Cheers
Herbert
Litespeed/QR
I use an Azoto on my tri bike and an Arione (the white world champion edition with the stripes down the center, very cool) on my Vortex. I have briefly ridden on the tri version on a friends bike. With this experience in mind, I think I prefer the standard Arione instead of the tri version. The reason the Azoto is so awesome is the insane amount or forward gel. The Arione is great because of the great adjustability and “wiggle factor” with so much room to move. The addition of the scant gel seemed to be more of a marketing thing to me and actually felt worse than my “regular” version for some reason.
I agree with King1, especially if you also have a road bike or train on your tri bike and ride upright a lot - just put on a QR or Desoto cover (about $10) for the tri and take it off when road riding/training (if not aero) - assuming this is the saddle you go for. I do personally highly recommend this saddle to everyone (knowing that saddles are usually a very personal choice, but everyone seems to like the Arione).
Sorta…depends on application.
The Azoto was very comfy for the 1st 6 months, but then developed a lil “sweet” spot…which felt more like a horse saddle than a bike seat. I ended up not liking the seat for the same reason I liked the seat!
The SLR T1 is definatley more “stiff”, but gives ample comfort for both butt-bone riding or sliding forward. It doesn’t have 1/2 the padding as the Azoto, but it wider. IMO, this seems to be the key…
Probably more accurate to compare the SLR t1 to the ASPide rather then the Azoto though.
Now damn it Smitty - I have tried about every seat that I thought would work for me (over 14), but I have not seen this one.
It looks exactly what my derrier might like as I find too much cushion annoying and I can always put on a QR cover on that. It probably even weighs less than 150g.